This report contains the step by step account of my experiences
while
learning how to use Gopher and to search with Veronica and
Jughead. This
report comes from a novice's point of view since before I started this
report all I knew about gophers was that they lived in the ground and
came up
every year to tell us if spring was coming . . . oh, no, wait, that's the
groundhog. Well, anyway, you get the point.
At one point during my Gopher searching attempts, I got completely
lost and found myself searching through the Internet and wasn't even
aware of it, but I was only lost for a little while. I hope this report can
help anyone who is trying to learn about Gopher and how to search using
Jughead and Veronica. My topic of interest is RECOMMENDED SITES
FOR SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION. I have made links to directories which I
thought would be useful in searching for different kinds of information.
There is a whole world of information out there. The trick is figuring
out how to get it. If you try hard enough, you can find answers to
almost any question. Now that
I am
finished, I can say, it really wasn't that painful. Good Luck!
Go to Bottom to see list of links!
Step One:
I was told the best way to get to Gopher was to log on through Lynx
which I did. Once I got into Lynx, with the help of a friend I worked my
way through the various menus. First, I pressed the Options which took
me to another menu where I pressed the User Mode. While at the User
Mode, I had to make a determination using my down arrow key whether to
pick novice, intermediate or advanced. My friend told me to pick
advanced (otherwise, I would never have known).
Step Two:
I used my down arrow to find Search and Explore On-Line Universe. It
sounded like that would take me where I wanted to go, so I clicked on
it. I went down to where it read Lycos, Inc. and typed in GOPHER and
then entered on Go Get It.
Step Three:
I was in Gopher! I was thrilled I made it this far. Gopher
certianly isn't as "user friendly" as Netscape. Anyway, picked a topic
that looked like it might take me to Veronica. I picked Guide and
Network Resource Tools. I found at quickly that this was the wrong way.
I backed up and went to Additional Gopher Sites and when I clicked on it
I got another menu and one read All Gopher Sites in the World. Wow,
sounded great so I clicked and found just what I was looking for: Gopher
Searching Using Veronica.
Step Four:
Now I was ready to begin my search. I typed in recommended search
sites. My search came up empty. However, at this point I realized I
don't need the recommended (that is what the search engines are for,
duh). I then typed in search sites and was thrilled to see all of my
options. My excitement didn't last long. The first three I tryed to
pull up were not accessible. I finally pulled one up and to my surprise,
it was completely illegible. So, what did I do--I pressed q to
quit--WRONG! It took me completely out of Gopher and I had to start all
over again!!!
Step Five:
Try a new method! I changed my approach and instead of going through
Lynx I went through Netscape. I thought it would be easier to handle. I
found Veronica through YAHOO where I
simply typed in Veronica. Yahoo found thirty-one directors matching
Veronica and I proceeded to check them out. However, when I began
clicking on them only more frustration. Many of the directories I tried
wouldn't connect. When I finally got through to one--I typed in my
search which was "search sites". I waited a few minutes and it acted
like it was done, but there was nothing. I thought maybe it was confused
or something disconnected so I entered again. This time I got a
response; I was so happy, until I started reviewing them. They all had
to do with science--the solar system stuff and even some genetic
mutation. This wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I went back to begin
my search again and this time typed in "search tools." My computer froze
and I was ready to scream!
Step Six:
I can't work with Veronica anymore. But, if you would like to try
may be you should check out the VERONICA-FAQ.
I have to move on, she is giving me a head ache. I
decided to switch and try my luck with Jughead. I typed in Jughead at
the Yahoo prompt. Serveral entries for Jughead came up and I picked the
one which was for searching the net. When I got in I entered "search
engines". I figured this had to give me something.
Step Seven:
Finally, I got something worth all of my effort. The first entries
that came up regarding search engines was not relevant to my topic. But,
as I proceeded through the sites, I noticed a few that were very relevant
and interesting. Here are a few:
HOP AND
STICKY:
This homepage brags it has "links to on-ramps, search engines, and
software (plus a few cool links). Great starting page." I have to agree
it was a good place to start. It is seperated into categories. The
first category is on-ramps, where it has links to Yahoo, Inter-links,
Global Network Navigator, and Point (top sites). Next it has search
zones, which include Alta Vista, Web Crawler, Lycos, and InfoSeek. He
also has a list of software links for information about different kinds
of software for different programs and computers. There are also links
to the author's homepage, a link for "pornography". It is in quotes for
a reason. It is in protest to the Title V, the 1996 Telecommunications
Act which is trying to put limits on free speech which includes censoring
on the Internet. It is an interesting little plug and not very long if
you have a minute to read it.
I found this, like the author said, a good place to start, but now I
must move on.
I don't know how I missed it the first time, but after clicking back to
the links Yahoo found, I saw a category for search engines. It was
called "Computers and Internet: Internet: World Wide Web: Search the
Web: Search Engines" and then it listed serveral search engines. I
began my hunt through them.
I found a link called BabyOIL
BabyOIL which claims "Simple interface to some of
the most popular Internet resources: WWW, Libraries, Software, People,
Tech Reports, and Online Documents." I clicked on this and found it well
set up and easy to navigate through. I think it could be beneficial to
some people (especially beginners).
I am all of a sudden having terrible anxiety over this report. I am
trying to get information regarding my topic (Recommended Search Sites
for Searching for Information) and I thought typing "search engines"
would be the best way to get them. However, now, I realize that I have
been searching through other resouces besides gopher. So, at this point,
I am trying to get back on track.
Step Eight:
I got back into Jughead since before I was searching through Yahoo,
but not only Jughead sites. I don't feel this was a complete waste of
time since I did discover some valuable links and information. However,
at this point, I am starting over. I typed Jughead in at the Yahoo
prompt, and when it came up, I picked the link "Jughead Server" and it
switched me back to Gopher. There I typed "internet and information"
since I am looking for search sites on the WEB. Surprisingly, no
information was coming back that I felt was relevant. Then someone told
me to try typing in "libraries and internet" which I did. I found a
great place to search for stuff THE YALE LIBRARY. Inside this
there are not only different links to click on regarding different
topics, but a search engine for the library itself. (Now, I'm beginning
to get my confidence back.)
I went back to the Jughead menu at Yahoo and picked another Jughead. It
was here I found something valuable to all of us learning the Internet.
It was a Roadmap for the Information Highway. Within this directory are
dozens of files which explain hundreds of different ideas and problems
for those beginning (and remaining) on the Internet. Use this ROADMAP it may
help some of us.
Step Nine:
I am feeling so confident with myself, I am going to try searching with
Vernonica again. I went back to Yahoo and typed in Veronica. From there
I entered on the Link Computers
and Internet:Internet:Searching the Net: Veronica. From there you
can pick from a list of Veronica links. I chose Index - Veronica
Servers. Here it gives you a list of different places to search.
A list of different Gopher search sites were listed. I chose Seach GopherSpace by Title
word(s) (via PSINet). After I chose this I decided to check out
information sites for the U.S. government. That's always an interesting
topic. It gave me a list of government resources, including U.S., State,
and foreign governments, I decided to pick U.S. Federal Government Information. This gives a list that looks like it includes every government department and their addresses. Enough with the government though, I must move on and see what else I can find.
I decided to try searching in a Gopher directory to see where this
would get me. So I entered on Find GOPHER DIRECTORIES
by Title word(s) (via PSINet). I wanted to try PSINet again since it
got me where I wanted to go last time when searching GopherSpace. I
thought musuems would be a good search site to I typed "museums" at the
prompt. And, guess what, I got a great list of
MUSEUMS!
I thought the list of
Maritime Museums would be appropriate since we live
on an island so I chose this link. Then, I picked
The Council of American Maritime Museums. I went down the list of Maritime Museums and found Hawaii Maritime Museum. It was a good feeling.
I feel like a now have the hang of searching through Gopher with
Veronica and Jughead. I can't tell you how much I dreaded doing this
report and then when I was in the middle of it the great anxiety I felt.
But, it just goes to show you, when you persist at something and don't
let it beat you, you can accomplish things which may seem almost
impossible. I feel like I am an expert at Gopher now. No more
frustration. |